The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-05-24


God-speed in your noble work
Is 1t sumptuary and therefore undemo
cractic? Sumptuary laws according to
Bowler, are laws relating to the ex'
pcnses of the people, and made to re-
strain excuses in apparel, food, furni'
turc, etc. They originated in the view
that luxury is in some Of its degrees OPP
posed to public policy, and that the
state is bound to interfere against it.
Montesquieu, Esprit DIES Lois, b, Z, C, 2,
1. and Tacitus, Ann, b, 2 ch.33, b, CHI.
%.
In England in 1886 il was enacted, III
Edw. III, C, 3. that in as much as many
mis- chiefs had happened to our people OF
the realm by excessive and costly meats,
by which, among other things, many
who aspired in this respect beyond their
means were.impoverished and unable to
aid themselves or their liege lord in time
of need. all men were forbidden to have
served more than two courses at meal,
each of but two sorts of victual except
on the principal feasts of the year and
then only three were allowed Suisse
auent statutes-that of 1868 and that of
1853 and 1882, regulated the dress, and to
some extent, the diet of the people, with
careful regard to their rank" Bouvier's
Law Dictionary.
These laws could in no way affect the
manufacturer or vendor nor could they
be said TO control in any way the liquor
traffic. My brother lawyers will not at
temp to throw discredit upon Bowler.
Mind you these laws restrain excuses.
These were the laws that Jefferson and
our great party leaders had in view when
the plank was engrafted in our plat
form. According to all laws Of construc'
ton, it must be construed in that light
The same author says:
In modern times, legislation is not
resorted to in respect to this object; but
the subject is frequently discussed in
connection with the laws for the pre-
vention or punishment Of intemperance,
which is so direct and fruitful source
of crime" Restraining excess again, not
prohibiting; mind you the author says
discussed not settled. 1t is an effort
on the part of the liquor dealers and
their satellites to fasten this iniquitous
traffic upon the democratic party. Con
ceding the definition as they would
haveit, it still will not reach the qIes-
ton at issue, as that would only affect
laws restI aiming and furnishing the
drinker and not prohibition Of the manu-
facture and sale of'the article.
We are referred to Seymour and Til
den, of New York, who pronounce il
sumptuary and undemocratic. This was
in 1865. At the same time, Mills, the
great anti-prohibtion orator of to-day
was in Texas. a violent and fiery advo
cate of prohibition. presto change.
Look at the democratic party of New
York by what influence is it dominated
The liquor dealers of the city of New
York. What is the effect of such rule
Boss Tweed, Oakley Hall, and aldermanit
swindlers. If you want to bow to and be
tyrannized over by such an influence il
Texas with similar results, vote dowr
the amendment. If you are in favor o.
good government, vote for the amend
ment,
Besides sumptuary laws relate alone
to the expenses Of the people and seel
to restrain and regulate them by law.
This amendment does not seek to de-
that. Its adoption might in some Incl
dental way have that effect, but no
necessarily SO.
The liquor traffic not only takes TIT
money of our citizens without giving
value received. but il affects the minds
undermines the health, ruins the dis
position. dwarfs the energies and dead
ems all the noble sentiments of our citi
zens, degrades society, makes war up
on good morals, rctards intellectual
development communicates the ballot
box. and stains the judicial ermine. Thu
creator of all these evils is certainly sub
ject to legislative restraint
The amendment does not seek to re
strain the expenses of the citizen in an,
way. 1t is true, il it be adopted ant
rigidly enforced that it will cut OF ont
avenue of expense, but the law prohibit
ing gambling does the same thing and 81
would some other laws, If they were
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